Professor Melissa Terras FREng 

Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage, Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh 

Professor Melissa Terras is an outstanding researcher in digital cultural heritage, connecting culture and technology with transformative impact. Her engineering research digitally reconstructs and transcribes damaged, fragile or degraded ancient texts, making them readable for the first time. She founded and co-leads a company delivering AI-based handwriting transcription for galleries, libraries, archives, and museums. She created a pioneering, much replicated master’s programme, spanning engineering and humanities, supported by placements in heritage organisations. A valued external adviser, powerful public advocate, and equality, diversity and inclusion champion, she currently leads initiatives creating new products and businesses through data-driven innovation in the cultural sector.